Sunday, July 22, 2012

North or South? Vegas buddy Mike, aka Vegashotwheeler is doing one of his burger runs,

(South).
Of course I want to go, but, brother-in-law Bruce aka Bruce, has set up a ride from Idaho Falls to Salmon Idaho (North).
Equally of course I want to see my B-I-L.
Blood wins out and I ride north.

Day one.
Near Logan, home of Utah State University.

No bull about it, I think there are some happy and relaxed bovines up here.

Bear Lake is high this year, almost to the road.

I ride through Paris....Idaho.

The Paris Tabernacle.

County building.

On highway 89 near the Wyoming border, some creative person made these. They are about 30' long.

US 89

Some farm pics

I got a late start, so after the 300 miles to Idaho Falls, I grab a room and crash for the night.

Friday, July 20, 2012

My hotel is near the Water Falls of Idaho Falls. Right across the river is the LDS Temple; there was a nice view on this misty morning.

I meet the other riders at Bruce's house and we are on our way.

We stop in Arco for a snack. Each year the graduating high school class paints their year on this mountain.

Leaving Arco, Bruce is in front, then Allen, and Reed.

Wildlife.

Had a super lunch in Salmon at Bertram's brewery! I had the mushroom burger, Bruce had the deep fried pickles done is a beer batter dredge. (not really certain what that is, but...)

Salmon main street.

The other three ride back to Idaho Falls, I get a hotel in Salmon.
I find out later that those guys hit hard rain, and had gasoline issues on the way home.... They should have stayed with me!

Day Three

Leaving Salmon I was soon in rain, I had forgotten my rain pants, it's a good thing Reed had told me about some good rain pants to be had at Walmart for cheap!

Going over Lolo Pass I see a hotsprings and decide I need a hike, so I walk the 1 1/2 miles to the spring and find out there are several pools to soak in. I observe that some are clothing optional, but as you can see my trunks drying on the bike you know what I chose. I shared a pool and nice conversation with a couple of very well endow.....err, I mean pleasant ladies.

Back on the road - several miles later I'm alone on the two laner with one other vehicle, a pickup who is in front of me about 200 yards. I see the truck slowing and notice what turns out to be a moose leaving the road and up the tree covered hill. The truck drives on, and I proceed slowly in case the moose steps out on the road again.

I'm fifty feet or so from where the moose went up the hill when suddenly a brown something, maybe a brown lab....plops down from where the moose went up the hill, directly in my lane in front of me. The brown something starts to move and I realize it is a moose calf. Apparently, it had tripped on the very steep hill and tumbled down the mountain making a very hard landing on the road.

Shortly after the calf appeared, momma moose also showed up, jumping on the road looking tense, angry and staring in my direction. Suddenly the two lane road looked extremely narrow! I did what any brave and intrepid moto-explorer would do. . . . . and immediately flipped a U-ey. As soon as I got the bike turned around I turned in my seat to snap a picture of the scene, but to my surprise saw both of them running toward me. I think the calf was simply scared and had had his bell rung by the fall and merely ran in the direction that he stood up in. Momma was in protective mode and running to protect her calf. The only problem is. . . . I was directly in front of them.

So. . . . I dropped my camera (lanyard attached) shifted into first gear and took off, re-grabbed my camera still trying to capture the event while monitoring the location of momma moose in my mirror. When I observed momma gaining on me, I clutchless shifted into second gear and accelerated. All the while trying to snap pictures.

I got numerous pictures of the road, the sky, and various motorcycle parts, but only the two below with the calf in them.

Finally, the calf headed off the road and up the hill, and the excitment was over. After getting a safe distance away, I flipped another U-ey and took the picture of momma moose. She loitered on the road for a few minutes and then followed the calf up the hill.

I cautiously go on my way to Lewiston, Oregon where I will spend the night.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

I leave Lewiston and go on beautiful US 12 to Oregon, then I follow the equally beautiful US 395 and 26

Just before the Washinton state line I see this;

Canoe you guess what it is?

The Washington state line.

Draw bridge over the Snake river.

Garfield County building.

Columbia County Courthouse

Stopped and got some oranges and cherries here and snacked on them for the next four days.

My rear needs a break so I pull into tiny Mitchell for a gas stop, but the only station in town is closed for the day. A local tells me Prineville is about 30 miles away, so no problem, I know I have more than enough gas.

As I prep to leave two more moto-travelers pull in the station, a Buel and a Ninja. I tell them the station is closed and in answer to their question, tell them Prineville is about 30 miles away. They discuss between themselves and agree if they take it easy they might just be able to make it.

I turn again to them and intend to say that I have plenty of gas, and would be happy to give them my cell number in case they run out, I would get a gas can and come back to rescue them.

I say 'intend', because as I start talking the leader of the two turned his back and started talking over me to his riding buddy.

Well... ok then.

I resume my ride, but as I pull back onto the main road I see a sign, "Prineville - 47 miles".

Uhh Ohh.

I stay overnight in Redmond at the Hub Motel. The Hub is not a 5 star facility, but then again it was only $30.00 It was clean, the staff was professional, and best of all, cheap! If I tour on US 26 again I will definitely stay in the Hub.﻿

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I leave Redmond, but on my way out of town I see this gorgous car, I believe he said it is a 1947 Packard....but I could be wrong. The guy was very nice.

Road 242...what a beaut!

Like so many people I enjoy seeing covered bridges.

I arrive in Junction, Oregon and call my friends Tea and Nina. 1/2 hour later they arrive at my hotel, and we are on our way to a late lunch. Then we ride to the coast, but first a stop at Alsea Falls.

Tea by the falls.

Nina by the falls.

Tea and Nina by the falls.

Tea, Nina, and me by the falls.

On our way to the coast.

We get lost, (and find serendipity) but some nice locals stop and give us directions to the coast.

The coast.

We go here and Tea buys an albacore tuna.

On our way to their house.

Tea preps and cooks the tuna, along with rice and......some other stuff. Delicious!

Hey Tea, I yell, someone pooped in your garden! No, he says, that's a slug, there are so many around here they made it the Oregon state bird. Haha...

Their yard has tons of rasberrys! I ate a half a ton.

I ride to my motel after dinner, but first we plan our ride for the next day